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August 21, 2007

G126: Red Sox 8, Devil Rays 6

It was the bottom of the order who put this one out of reach in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded, one out and the score knotted at 2-2, Varitek singled home one run, and Crisp and Lugo both followed with two-run doubles.

Boston led 7-2, although Tampa closed the gap to 7-5 in the fifth and 8-6 in the seventh. ... Also worth noting was David Ortiz's triple to left-center in the first inning and his infield single to the pitcher (who fielded it on the third base side of the grass) in the third. Wheels!

Papelbot came on for four outs, getting three strikeouts and an infield pop on 15 pitches. He is the first Red Sox pitcher in history to record 30 saves in back-to-back seasons.

Jon__Guest: Theo, are you expecting to call up Ellsbury, Bucholtz, Moss, Lopez, and others on September 1??

Theo Epstein: We haven't communicated our call-up plans to the players yet, but there's a good chance some or all of the players you mentioned will be back in September. I think our young call-ups will have a chance to impact our team this year rather than just benefit from the developmental experience.

DUDE__Guest: Theo, are you worried that the Yankees are [five] games back. What are your thoughts, and do you think the Red Sox will win the East?

Theo Epstein: We'd rather be up 14 games, of course, but we have to be somewhat satisfied with a five-game lead given how well the Yankees have played over the last 2 1/2 months. We're well enough positioned now so that we'll get what we deserve. If we play well down the stretch, we should get into October without concern. If we don't play well when it matters ... well, then we probably don't deserve to be playing into October. I am confident that these players have what it takes.

Lacrosse is Canada's national sport, and the only one. It is surprising, I know.

A good friend of ours (another USA-to-Canada immigrant) is the stadium announcer for Toronto FC. He used to announce the Denver MLS team when he lived there. We haven't scored tickets from him yet, but I hope we will someday.

The person next to me at Fenway on Friday said "He's like Paul O'Neill in a Sox uniform." (The guy was from Waterbury, so, like us, he knows all about the Yanks.) But I'm sure someone in Minneapolis would just compare Youk to whoever their most notable hot head was...

No, but they were a family and two would stand by me while the other two would sit in 2 RF Box seats they had, then they'd switch. I knew right away where they were from because they mentioned New Britain and they had that Chicago-ish accent that you Naugy Doggy Valley folks seem to have. Later, they spoke of getting a dish, only to find out their cable company got NESN a week later. Then the mom was like "we were like the LAST people in New England to get it..."

That's when I turned to them and set them straight about how Fairfield still doesn't have it and can't get it. And they were like, "Uh...oh."

Okay, I got in on the mlbtv, which is not behind. Sweet. And the visitors' feed, for seemingly the first time this year.... This is beautiful, but LAA has to be capitalizing. Do not relent or you'll find yourself in extra innings again!

This is starting to approach Clemens' Second Inning From Hell earlier this season. I'd prefer Mussina's ERA to get the break from an error rather than Rog's, but...I'll take it.

I can just hear that hand wringing from here.

Replacement Level blogger had some admirably realistic words about this road trip - that we'd probably go 5-2 and the Yanks needed to try to win at least 4. Apparently they feel almost cursed against the Angels.

By the way, is it true we can't face the Yanks in the first round if they make the WC? That the WC team faces the best div winner -- except if it's in their own division?

Rex the Wonder Moron says that Guidry came out and told Moose that his curve wasn't workin' and to throw fastballs. Fastball?? Where would Moose find one of those? He'll have extra time to look for one now, I guess.